Found a nice little link

I found a nice little link for those of you in Morgantown wanting to either order out or dine out. It also let's you place your order at numerous Morgantown restaurants online.

DubVMenus.com

End of the season.

Another season has come and gone, the boys of summer are getting ready to enter of jobs of fall. Yes, once again the softball season comes to a close for me tonight.

This will be our last regular season game and last game of the season, we managed to drop a few games we shouldn't have and have been left out of the playoffs this season. We have lost more games this season than the two previous years combined, so if that is any kind of indication of the year we had.

Hopefully tonight we will be able to field a team because quite a few guys have other plans, considering that our season was scheduled to be over with last Monday. Maybe it's a good thing that we did not make the playoffs this season if we can't get enough guys there for a game.

I did just hear from Phil Kaskey who is with the womens basketball team in Austrailia, we women just won 98-50. I guess we can excuse Phil for not being at the game tonight.

Youtubes all time most watched video

Not too much to say today, and I wanted to post something. So, I was thinking to myself since YouTube is the internet's biggest video site, I wonder what was the single most watched video in the history of YouTube. With over 55 Million viewings, here it is:

Steelers tonight

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be playing their second preseason game of the year tonight when they will be playing the Green Bay packers tonight at 7:30. This will be the first time new Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will be coaching in front of the home crowd.

I'll be sitting and watching tonight in hopes of seeing who the next superstar is that may emerge from this team.

Fridays and weekend events

Woo Hoo, we are once again at that time of the week when we stop the working and start to enjoy the fruits of our labor, it is Friday and the start of the weekend.

There are a few things going on tonight and this weekend. Tonight at the Family Night under the stars BOPARC will be playing Charlotte's Web at the ampitheater on the riverfront. Bring a blanket and some refreshments and enjoy a free movie.

Mon county no longer does a county fair, however don't dispair if you are in need of visiting a fair, Mannington Fair, the states second largest fair next to the state fair, is off and running in Mannington, West Virginia.

For you local sports fans the Betty Puskar FUTURES gold classic
is currently going on at the Pines country club. Congrats to my third basemen Kevin Connolly for winning the Pro-Am yesterday at the event.

If you are in the mood for some Music, the Hillbilly Gypsies will be playing Chestnut Ridge park.

On a side note, my sister Kim called me last night, go read her BLOG and look at the size of the hail that they took pictures of from last nights storm. They did a great job at illustrating the size of the hail.

Have a great Friday.

A few tidbits

* Stopped by gary's last night and showed him Google Earth. It's the first time he's seen it and I showed him all the "ooohs and ahhhs" of the software and explained to him how everything works and why some things look the way they do.

* Renee has purchased another car. She has purchased a 2004 Dodge Durango. It looks pretty sharp and I'm sure they will be utilizing it pretty soon.

* I decided to re-upgrade to Digital Cable again. I downgraded about three years ago and thought it was about time to add a few new channels. I mananged to get a couple free months of HBO in the process too.

* The University Arts series has announced their schedule for the 2007-8 season.

• Wynton Marsalis --Sept. 10
• Wayne Newton-- Sept 23
• "Annie" --Oct 14
• Doc Watson-- Nov 2
• "Gypsy" -- Nov 4
• "RAIN, The Beatles experiance" -- Nov 7
• Peter Cetera -- Dec 3
• "Movin Out"-- Jan 16
• "Chicago" The play not the band, see Dec 3 for the band -- Feb 12 and 13
• African Footprint -- Feb 25
• k.d. Lang -- March 7
• "Hairspray" --March 8
• B.B.. King -- March 12
• The Peking Acrobats -- March 14
• America -- March 31
• "Evita"-- April 28

Wayne Newton looks to be interesting considering he plays almost exclusively in Las Vegas.


* Nick and Terri's will have a free Jukebox on Friday, DJ Dan on Saturday, mahlon Kisner on Wed and Undercover aka Strange Brew on August 17.

* The Hillbilly Gypsies will plat 6:00-8:30 at Chestnut Ridge Park. Cost is $5.00 for general public, $3.00 for campers and children under 12 are let in free.

* Reading the Sports page this morning, I have a feeling you will see a few true freshmen be seeing some significant playing time this coming football season.

Heat wave

Don't you just love this weather! I don't know if I ever mentioned this before, but I hate snow with a passion. This is my kind of weather, if it would just lower the humidity slightly, but I'll deal with it compared to the chilling snow that inhibits peoples travel.

This is one of my favorite times of the year, a time when you can sit by or in a body of water and just relax. However, I don't have a pool so I don't exactly have that body of water.

My front door is still open, just soaking in the beautiful weather and enjoying the gracious waves of summer.

Congrats Barry Bonds

America's most romantasized event of it's most romantisized sport has a new career leader as of last night. Barry Bonds who already holds the single season Home Run record with 73, last night surpassed Hank Aaron and hit his 756th career Home Run in front of his home San Fransico fans.

Happy Birthday Randy "Bub" Hamrick

If you get a chance today, make sure that you wish randy a very Happy 19th Birthday. I just talked to him and he and Moke are now rooming together and he is seeming to want to get his life on track. He's been working down at the Dominion Post as an inserter at nights the past few weeks.

If you have a MySpace account, you can wish Randy a very happy birthday through his myspace. Although I'm not sure how often he checks it. He and Moke's Phone number is 291-2789 if you want to give him a call.

Final double header last night

Last night was our final softball double header of the season. The weather was horrendous, at 11:30 last night when we finished up it was still in the 80's and as humid as an amazon rain forest. We played at 9:00 and 10:00 last night and you would think there was a break in the humidty, but there wasn't.

The first game we almost were 10 runned on a mercy rule and managed to come back and win the game. It's a team we've played against for a few years and always manage to get the better of.

In the second game of the night the opposite was true. We played against a team that for the fourth straight year we have lost a one run game to. I can't speak for anyone else, but I was just completely drained after playing a double header.

Next week is a makeup game and the end of the season for us. We're officially out of the playoffs and are once again teedering with a .500 mark with a 9-9 record on the year. Many guys will not be there next Monday, so we are going to have trouble fielding nine guys.

It looks like we may be losing quite a few guys next season. Preston is talking about making a change and accepting a job in Columbus, Kevin said that he was retiring from the game to play golf, Dan is being shipped to Iraq in December and who knows what else the off season will bring.

We're tlaking about bringing back former WVU Linebacker Alex Lake for next Mondays game.

Pictures from Josh's Birthday party

I uploaded the pictures from Josh's first Birthday party last night on my Picture Site. He looked like he had a great time, as you can tell he went to town with his smash cake, plus a little bit of help from Uncle Gary putting icing on top of his forhead.

It was raining all day, but that didn't seem to bother Erica Jean in the slightest, Gary seemed to bring her a battery powered squirt gun and she proceeded in making sure that everyone wasn't walking around too dry.

Overall it was a nice day despite Mother Nature not being too cooperative.

Josh's first birthday party

Val is going to try to have Josh's first birthday party today, even though his birthday was last week. I thought the weather was going to be cooperative, but a look outside and it is quite obvious that Mother Nature may be less than cooperative today.

I know Val has purchased a couple hundred balloons for water balloons today, so that is just a word to the wise for anyone that is planning on attending. New clothes might not be the wisest choice of attire for today.

I'll have my camera and do my best to make a few Kodak moments.

WV Gladiators final regular season game

The West Virginia Gladiators Semi-pro football team will be closing out their regular season scgedule tonight at 7:00 at Pony Lewis Field.

The opponent will be the Pittsburgh Pride, a team that captured a 10-12 victory against the Gladiators on July 14th in Pittsburgh. This game however will be in the friendly confines of Pony Lewis and in front of the home crowd.

The price of admission is $5.00 and those under 12 will be let in free. Come cheer on the Gladiators to victory and prepare yourself for a memorable local football season.

Weekend

Once again we reach Friday, the day when the work week comes to a halt and the weekend fun activities commence. Although for me I may work tomorrow to get myself a head start on a completetion date for a project I am working on so that I can assure myself I can make it by the target date.

Tonight BOPARC will continue its Family Night Under the Stars with a showing of the movie Barnyard. The weather looks to be very nice tonight, so grab you a blanket, the kids, some refreshments and enjoy a night under the stars at the Ampitheater with some loved ones.

My BLOG has now been syndicated as an RSS FEED as part of the Morgantown High Alumni ning site. Mark has started a couple sites on Ning, the alumni site being one one them.

I have also started a ning site for the Hall family. Feel free if you are reading this BLOG to join up to the Ning site. It will be a great way to communicate amongst the family hopefully.

Mountianeer Football practice starts tomorrow officially. The team will assemble tonight for the first time with the first official practice starting tomorrow.

Speaking of Mountaineer Football, one of the official preseason polls is out and we are ranked #6 in the country.

Enjoy the weather

Great weather

Wow has the weather been nice the past few days. It's been close to 90 and is supposed to continue to do so until next week. Have I ever mentioned that I hate snow?

However the hotter weather has caused me to go for my walks much later in the evenings when it is a little bit cooler than it is in the mid afternoon. I started last night at about 7:00 as opposed to the 3:00 time that I usually start at. This way I can get dinner made and eaten before I go out to the trails.

I stopped by the ballpark after walking last night, a few ex team mates were playing a double header and I stopped to see them. I got a chance to talk to Rick Cale and told him about Richie Varner passing away the week before.

I was talking to Brian Hill and he was telling me that his house was struck by lightning Saturday. It struck his back deck and put a hole in the roof, some of the debris even went into Braedens room.

Have a great day.

Tell me this doesn't bring a tear to your eye

Midweek tidbits

* I really haven't done a tibdits in a while, so maybe it's time for me to do one.

* Congrats to Josh Judy who picked up his first win as a professional yesterday. He pitched a couple innings in a suspended game from July 20 and got the win in the decision. So far in a little over four innings he has yet to allow a run and still has a 0.00 era.

* Josh's birthday party is going to be this Sunday. His birthday was last Sunday, but we are celebrating it this coming Sunday.

* Been a slow week at work for me. Really nothing to do and I have been sitting around and waiting for something to do. I prefer to be busy so the week goes a little faster.

* July saw me set a new personal post record for one month with 42. I didn't try to top it, I just happened to notice that I had beat June's total.

* Today is the 25th Anniversary of me meeting probably one of the most influential people in my life outside of any family. Jane and I met 25 years ago today.

* I see that my sister Kim has decided to switch a few things around in her cyber world.

* Anyone ready for some football?

I'll take it.

We had a game scheduled last night at 10:00 against my old team, or at least the remaining remnants of that team. It was a game that I was looking foreward to all season, however last night just wasn't meant to be.

We everyone but two people there last night, however my old team could only manage to get eight guys out to play. The coach didn't even bother to show up. It was a little discouraging, however a win is a win. I didn find out that Josh was also pitching last night against the Tigers from his Dad.

Last night was Phil's last game of the year, he is the Assistant SID and is going to Australia for the next three weeks with the WVU Women's basketball team. I'll see him again when we draft our fantasy football league.

Test Results

Just got back from my Doctors and got to see my test results from last week. Blood Pressure was within target, my cholesterol numbers were all within target, HDL's, LDL's and my Triglycerides. Then came the magic A1C results. This past February my A1C was 13.1, meaning that my AVERAGE blood sugar for the three months prior was OVER 350.

My target was under 7 by the DR and under 6.7 by the dietitian. It was 6.2 and I was pretty happy. I've added a couple pounds recently and just need to get back into my routine. Cut out the in between meal meals and walk more regularly.

Next appointment is in six months.

Three month check up today

Later today I will have my three month DR's checkup so I can renew my prescriptions and get my results from my tests that I went in for last week. I'm feeling pretty good about the upcoming results.

I tried to stop by the Daily Kneads yesterday to buy one last loaf of bread, however they had sold out of everything and were out of supplies and were not even making pizzas yesterday. I have my fingers crossed that someone will come in and purchase the buisness and get it back up and running, but there is nothing along those lines that has any solid commitments yet.

Mountainfewst appeared to have roughly 50,000 people visit Morgantown this weekend. Morgantown is starting to demonstrate on a yearly basis that there is life in Morgantown outside of the regular school year.

Enjoy your monday

Happy Belated Birthday Joshua Nicholson

I managed to get caught up in some mis-communication yesterday with our siftball team and was running around making sure that the coaches message was incorrect. Wow what a day to still get rained out.

Anyways, I forgot to block about Josh's first birthday that he had yesterday. Val had the party originally scheduled for yesterday but switched it to this coming Sunday because so many people had alternative plans.

Happy First Birthday Josh. PS, the pictures from Erica's nbirthday are now online.

Last Night and today

Last night I went to the Gladiators game with Trish. The Gladiators took control on the games first play when Freddie Little Broke a TD run. The Gladiators offense was on the field much of the night as they rolled up a 37-7 victory.

Late in the fourth quarter Morgantown had set odd a bigger fireworks display than they did on the 4th of July if you can believe that.

I did see Uncle Junior and Debbie at the game, Debbie's son is an offensive lineman who had his hands full with a good 350 pound defensive tackle. He held his own and actually had little trouble controlling the mammoth.

This afternoon I take the softball field in a makeup game. As a team we have had an up and down season, hopefully we are more up today than down. Tomorrow night I play against my old team.

Steelers Trivia Show tonight

If you have a chance to turn on KDKA tonight at 11:30 tonight, a close friend of mine, another guy from our past fantasy baseball leagues and a guy Chris's Dad will be appearing as a team on the Steelers Sports Challenge tonight.

Chris, aka WVAQ's Hector, his dad and Randy Page will be playing Steelers trivia tonight. This was taped a couple months ago, because Chris and his family are currently at the beach...rather than playing softball tomorrow. Shame shame.

Anyways, tune in if you get a chance.

RIP Bones

As any of you know me, I am a big softball advocate. I have been playing since the early 80's and it has been something that I have loved dearly. From my original team the "Fun Quads" to the Press Box to the team I played the majority of the 80's with "Sterling Faucet", I have met quite a few unique people.

Twice in my career I have been part I have managed to be a part of a softball rarity. I consider myself very lucky to have taken part (on the winning side) of not one but two no hitters. One being in the 90's with my long time battery mate who I will be competing against Monday night and the first was with a pitcher I was battery mates with at Sterling Faucet.

This morning I picked up the obituaries and my heart dropped when I read the obituary of Richard C. "Bones as we used to call him" Varner. I was Rich's catcher for about six years and played on some very good teams with him.

Bones was one of the best pitchers I ever worked with, even until this day, and I have worked with some very good ones.

I have a game on Sunday and a game on Monday, I have to do something to honor Rich with every at bat.

RIP Bones

OK, I'm back up and running

I went and switched out my Modem this morning and installed the new one. The old one was an old Motorola and I have been using it for about 5 1/2 years, so it was time for a new one anyways.


There is a lot going on in Morgantown tonight, weather permitting.

BOPARC will be playing the Movie Happy feet this evening, provided the weather isn't storming as it is now. However looking at the extended forecast it looks like we are going to have plenty of rain the whole weekend.

MountainFest has brought quite a few bikers into Morgantown for the weekend, however it may not be weather permitting for them because of all of the rain. Maybe this will be a good thing for Nick and Terri, could mean people will be inside drinking rather than riding.

Stay dry

Connection Problems

After helping a few others this week on the Blue and Gold News with their connection problems, it seems as though Comcast is starting to have a lot of trouble with the older modems all of a sudden.

They open at 9:00 and I'm posting from Jeans waiting on the business office to open today so I can change out my modem.

Needless to say, I have an early start on my weekend. =)

Happy Birthday Daniel Bell

Today is Daniels birthday and I would like to somehow extend a Happy Birthday with to him on his happiest of days.

Mountainfest starts today

Today is the official beginning of MountainFest here in Morgantown. Be extra careful driving around because there will probably be a very significant increase in motorcycle traffic in the area over the next four days.

The event has expanded to not only Mylan Park but to parts all over Morgantown. This event is in it's third year and continues to grow year by year.

Saturday Night Blue Oyster Cult so if anyone intends on attending they may need to have a little funs and go pick up a CowBell to the concert.

What I was talking about Monday

I did a BLOG Monday called Power of the BLOG. It was a blog post that I made that lead to this and honestly in a matter of minutes since I posted it.


ENJOY

Tuesday

OK, One day down and we're on to day two of the week. I did manage to run over the the WVUH POC and get my blood tests done. I have a DR's appointment on Monday and I needed to get a three month A1C test done this morning so we can see first hand whaty my profress has been since I tackled diabetes head on. We'll see next week how much progress I have actually made.

We played softball last night if that is what you call it. I had a solid game, however as a team we were well....horrible. We have went from a playoff team to a team that doesn't understand the basic fundamentals of the game. It's all mental right now, we'll break out of it but it may not be this season.

Val has moved Josh's birthday from this Sunday to next week. She messaged me yesterday when I was in the middle of setting a program up to run, so the date slips my mind at this time.

Enjoy the weather.

The Power of the BLOG

It amazes me sometimes just what extend a BLOG reaches. You know the family members that read it, and a few distant friens who are just seeing what you have been up to. However yesterday it showed me just how far and how quick it can reach in a matter of minutes.

I'm not going to reveal anything as of yet, but I will this week when it happens. Maybe keep everyone in a little suspense till Wed.

Softball game tonight at 6:00 and after the game the team is taking a trip to Wings Ole for Wings and Beer on the deck. With the season winding down and us not being sponsered by a restauraunt this season we really haven't had too many chances to get out as a group after a game as we have in years past. I'll take my camera and grab a few pics to get me through the offseason.

I do have to go in for some blood work sometime this week, I have another DR's appointment next Monday and this will be my three month A1C test to see how I have been doing. I've cheated a couple days, but my numbers should be fine. I am actually kind of anxious to see what the numbers are myself.

Enjoy your day.

Daily Kneads is closing.

One of my favorite places in Morgantown to eat has to be the Daily Kneads and their spectacular assortment of made fresh daily breads will be closing both stores at then end of the month. . I can't think of any words to even start to do the quality of this brick oven made bread justice.

On my Myspace page in which they are a friend, they posted the following bulletin:


The Daily Kneads is Closing


Our hearts are breaking as we make this announcement. Due largely to skyrocketing overhead expenses, The Daily Kneads Bakery and The Daily Kneads Too Coffeeshop will both be closing at the end of this month.

So, stock up on bread while you can and don't forget to use up your bread cards!

-The Daily Kneads


As I am writing this blog, I am chowing down on a scrumptious piece of black olive pesto bread that I just brought home from the daily kneads.

Morgantown loses a great place, one that will always be remembered like Chico Dairy or Cappalanttis.

Josh Judy made his professional Debut

Josh Judy has finally made his professional debut. He pitched one inning yesterday and gave up a couple hits and struck out one. He didn't give up any runs, so his ERA is still 0.00.

WTG Josh

West Virginia Gladiators at home tonight.

The West Virginia Gladiators semi pro football team is at home tonight when they will battle the Lackawanna Dynasty tonight at Pony Lewis field at 7:00.

$5.00 entry fee and children under 12 are admitted free. If you're missing football and can't wait to see a few gridiron gladiators engage in some on the field brutal combat, tonight is the night.

Eight years ago today

I just got home and VAL sent me a message. I almost forgot.


Read HER BLOG to know what has happened eight years ago today.

Fridays information

Once again we are at that favorite time of the week when the week of work is about to be put behind us and we can relax during a nice weekend.

* BOPARC is not having a movie tonight at the waterfront, however it will return next week with a showing of the movie Happy Feet.

* For those of you looking for something to do this weekend, Ribfest will be this weekend at Mylan Park. Tickets are only $5.00 and one of the celebrity judges is in my fantasy baseball league. I'm sure it will be a good time for all and lots of food.

* We will be playing paintball this Sunday if anyone is interested. Look at my previous post for information or pricing of the event. If you ahve never played before, try it once. I promise you will be back.

If you are planning ahead, next weekend is Mountain Fest at Mylan Park.

Have a good weekend.

The squirrels have fans

Would you believe I received an e-mail from Tampa Florida last night asking me how my buddies the squirrels were doing. There are five that join me on a daily basis, four of which being brown squirrels and one being a gray squirrel. They send their regards.

Included with the squirrels are an assortment of blue jays, cardinals, a woodpecker and at least three chipmunks by last count. They come and visit me each and every day and enjoy the gourmet feast that I set out for them on a daily basis.

Actually once when the food ran out under the three one of my squirrel buddies came to the door and asked if there was anymore food for him and his family to eat. I quickly obliged and set out a couple more cups of squirrel food for him and his friends to feast on.

It is quite amazing that they have a fan club. Their name is skip and their e-mail address is bear1972@tampabay.rr.com and their is Skip if anyone would like to talk to them.

I'm thinking about sending Skip a corresponding e-mail later today and am considering CC'ing their original e-mail to the friend that they claim decided to mention.

Thanks for reading Skip.

Paintball this weekend

If anyone is interested in playing Paintball this weekend, MVP Park is running their softball special.


JULY 22nd is BoParc Day at MVP

This is our second BoParc Day at MVP this year and the first one was a blast. Here is the deal...MVP sponsors a BoParc softball team in the "AA" league, so we want all the softball players to come and try paintball. If you are a softball player, family member, friend...it does not matter. Simply come to MVP on July 22nd from 10am-5pm and say "I want the softball deal" and you got it.

So what's the special deal you ask?
Well here it is...

All your rental gear (marker, mask, air tank)
All day air fills
500 Paintballs
Only $25

Connection Problems

What a day so far. I have been fighting to struggle to connect to the VPN Client at work all morning. I had to wake the network administrator up and get him involved with this.

Talk about a headache. All is well now.

A night at the ballpark

My old team played a double header last night and my team was off, so I decided to stop down at the ballpark and watch a few games.

I was fortunate enough to get a chance to sit down an talk to Josh for a while, he's leaving this afternoon and will be in Orlando at 3:00 this afternoon to report to the Indians rookie team. If I remember correctly, he is reporting to the Gulf Coast league rookie team for the rest of the season.

I asked him just out of curiosity what a 10th rounder gets, his contract is for $55,000 a year plus living expenses while he is in the minors. Plus the Indians are paying for his tuition to complete school. He said it was the right decision, because had he waited until next year they could have offered him next to nothing knowing he had no leverage because then his underclassmen playing status would have been exhausted. I think he made the right choice.

I'll be there for his Major league debut.

Back 2 Work after non busy weekend

I do have to say, this was probably the single most boring weekend that I have had in sometime. I never really mananged to do much of anything fun. I worked a couple hours last night and spent a few hours Saturday doing a little research for a buisness opportunity I'm considering.

Other than that I really didn't get into anything. Life as far as this weekend was concerned quite uneventful and boring. I think I even added a few pounds sitting around and doing nothing.

I do need to get back to rails to trails, it's been a couple weeks now since the last time that I made it down there, but I really didn't want to over exert myself with the Temps in the 90's even though we played a longer double header last week.

Today I am processing some data and going through my daily ritual of feeding my squirrels and watchig them eat. This has pretty much become a daily activity for me as of late.

Josh Signs with the Cleveland Indians

Over the past few years I have covered a baseball career of a long time softball team mate of mine named Josh Judy. When I first started this BLOG, a post I made in the first month was when Josh Signed at Indiana Tech. I had played softball with him a few years and knew of his baseball potential.

While at Indiana Tech, Josh made All-American this past season and decided to enter the MLB draft this past season. He was selected by the Cleveland Indians during the draft, a team that he wanted to play for. I guess since they are an American league team, I can now have a co-favorite team as I am a lifelong Pirates fan.

Recently Josh decided to pass up his Senior Season and signed a contract with the Cleveland Indians and he will report to Winter Haven Florida Rookie League team on Tuesday.

Josh said " I've done pretty much all I can do in college sports, Now I'm trying to make a dream become reality." I have watched him develop from a 14 year old kid, to a SR QB at UHS who saw his SR year go down the tubes with a torn ACL to winning the State American Legion Baseball Championship, to being an All-American.

Hey Josh, I want some tickets when you make the Major League debut. Good luck.

Nothing Really to say

I guess you can refer to this as a meaningless blog post, mainly because I really don't have anything to say. I however don't want to see my blog go stale as so many do, so I have to post something.

Friday the 13th

I completely overlooked the fact that today if Friday the 13th. Hmm So far nothign bad has happened, but it looks like it may rain out tonight.

It's Friday again

It's that favorite day of the week again, then end of yet another week of work and the dawn of a couple of days away from the normal grind to have a chance to enjoy the fruits of our labor. It's the weekend and I don't know if I have mentioned this in a while, but I hate snow. I love summer time.

Once again BOPARC will be playing a movie out under the stars tonight when there will be a free showing of the movie Monster House tonight at dusk. The movie is free to the public and is a great time to be enjoyed by everyone. Just take you a few snacks and drinks and maybe even something comfortable to sit on and enjoy a nice movie under the stars.

For you basketball fans, you could ahve a chance to see some of the best High School basketball players in the country this weekend in Morgantown when the 72 team Jam Fest will take place. 2010 WVU recruit Noah Cottrill who will be playing this tournament. It could be a good basketball weekend.

There will also be a kids day downtown Morgantown tomorrow.

Saturday, July 14, 2007
Kids' Day
Kids' will take over the downtown with more than 60 scheduled events. Kids of all ages will learn about safety, play games, receive free goodies from area businesses, make crafts, and play in the giant sand box. There will also be live entertainment, and free PRT, Trolley, and horse & buggy rides. Kids, help the Transit Authority 'paint a bus' downtown. So kids, the only place to be is Downtown Morgantown on Kids' Day.


If you are out for some Music, the All Good Festival has already kicked off and is running in Masontown, West Virginia.

Have a good weekend.

Stopped by to say hello to Terri

After work today, I decided to stop by Nick and Terri's to say hello. The last time I was there they were getting ready to go for a weekend camping trip. I was wanting to stop by all week, but just never seemed to make it until today.

I did see Terri yesterday as I was doing my daily trips around Super Wal-Mart and I told her I was going to stop by yesterday, but I never managed to make it down so I decided to stop by this evening.

Nick has a big grill that I think someone gave him. It's one of those big ones you haul around with a trailer hitch and use commercially. It's a pretty good sized one and I'm sure there will be a lot of food cooked over top of it.

Double Header Split

The last couple of years when we played a double header we usually swept them wining both games. For the third time this season we split another double header last night.

In the first game we were down 9-4 going into the bottom of the seventh inning (you play seven) and I led off the inning with a single and scored, fortunately we scored four other runs and tied the game 9-9 pushing it into extra innings in the 90 + degree sweltering heat. Eight inning neither team scored and I led off the ninth with another single. I advanced to second on a Scotty Barr single and then was going to tag up on a sacrafice fly that Chris Evans hit pretty deep, only the guy dropped the ball and I booked it around third and beat the throw at the plate for the 10-9 win in game 1.

Immediately after playing a 9 inning game in the heat, we played a second game right afterwards and were down 10-9 in the bottom of the 7th with bases juiced. Tying run was at third and the winning run at second base and both quick runners. kevin, who is one of our better hitters coming to bat, I thought we were going to have a nice double header sweep. He he a soft roller right back to the pitcher and was thrown out at first. Game over.

We're still playing with the .500 record with a 7-7 record on the year. Next game in two weeks.

Softball Double Header Tonight.

We have had a change in our schedule and will have a double header tonight at 6:00 and 7:00. We will have a rematch against rugrats tonight at 6:00, a team that was undefeated Champions last season but we beat pretty good the last two times we have played them. Solid team and we are going to have to be on top of our game tonight. We haven't been full stregnth since the last time we played them on June 18th. Hopefully tonight we will be back to full strength. They're a good team and the last time we played I was responsible for getting three runners thrown out at home by challenging different outfielders arms. I'll be a little more conservative tonight.

7:00 we have a regular scheduled game against advantage health.

Back 2 Work

It's that most dreaded day of the week, the day when we have to puit our weekend behind us and store them in our eternal memories as we approach a dawn of a new week of work. It's the dreaded Monday and the weather is supposed to be real nice today, reports of the temps reaching the mid 90's. When the weather is this nice, it should be a national holiday so that we can all get out and enjoy it.

I'm going to go out tonight and try to qualify for the West Virginia Poker Tour tonight. Keven is dealing the cards out tonight from 4-6:00 at the Waterfront Jeep dealership on Don Knotts Boulevard. I'm going to try and qualify for the Statewide tournament for a chance to earn a berth in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

No softball tonight, but we will have a double header tomorrow night at 6:00 and 7:00. We had a schedule change and we will be off for two weeks after tomorrow nights double header.


I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.-- Frank Lloyd Wright

WOW, what a display

I've seen some nice 4th of July fireworks displays, and I was really impressed with what the City of Morgantown did with their display this year. It was probably one of the nicest ones I've seen done in Morgantown.

Last night, a few of us has all invested some money and were going to let off our own private fireworks display. I think I honestly have to say that I think we topped Morgantown's fireworks display.

I think there was six or seven of us constantly lighting them off from a top of a big farm hill to keep the sky continuously lit up with a multitude of bright colors and unique noises for about an hour and a half from the time that we started. It was a great time an a load of fun, I am definitely in next year because this is just a little too much fun to pass up on.

You would think a 90 minute fireworks display would be simple, but I think we spent almost that amount of time prepping the fireworks earlier in the evening and we literally used two pickup trucks to clean up all the discarded tubes and other things once we were done.

However in between us prepping the fireworks and us having a lot of fun letting them off, we had a big cookout that was BYOB and bring a covered dish. I really liked Ron's set up and he has an awesome home made fireplace in his driveway. He was a very gracious host and a great guy to be around, it's not too hard to see why Kim and Robert spend so much time with him, his daughter and their Great Dane Ruger.

After dinner Kim took me up to their camp sight. It was the first time I really had a chance to take my Rodeo off road and it was made for this kind of a trip. I had to put it in 4 Wheel Drive Low and drop the 4 speed automatic transmission down into first gear to maneuver our way out to their very majestic view camp sight.

It was a good evening and I'm looking forward to Fireworks 2008.

You have to love it.

Friday

Weekend is here again, this was a short two, two day work week because of the 4th of July fell on Wed splitting the week up into a couple two day work periods.

There will be no movie tonight at the waterfront, however next weekend the movie Monster House will play next Friday night.

Tomorrow will be July 7, 07 or 7-7-07. These are the numbers I have always played when In play the lottery and have actually won with before. Also tomorrow will be Live Earth. This is an eight country concert for the awareness of Global warming. Might be worth a tune in or two on the day when I'm not doing anything.

Nothing really planned for tonight. We were scheduled to play softball last night, but mother nature and the rain got the best of us and the game was cancelled.

AT&T Buys Dobson

AT&T has agreed to purchase Dobson $2.8 Billion in cash. For those of you who do not know, Dobson is the local cell phone company Cell One. Which means if you have Cell One your cell phone service wi;; eventually transfer over to AT&T's network.

What does this mean? Well, if you have been watching the news over the past week the big news has been the iPhone that Apple has released.

AT&T is the exclusive carrier for the iPhone right now and I think for a few years. So, if you live in Morgantown and want an iPhone that works, you'll need to have Cell One. No word on when the iPhone may be coming to Morgantown.

It's a softball Thursday

We have a gamne tonight at 6:00 in a rare Thursday night game. We play at 6:00 and then afte that the team is planning on taking a trip to Wings Ole and eating out on the deck. If the weather permits, this will be the first dinner that everyine will have attended together outside of the pic nic earlier this summer at Dan and Lisa Barnes's.

I've finally gotten back to form over the past few games and became the hard out that I traditionally have been through the years. I had an early season slump, but now I am more than making up for it after a few minor adjustments.

Is it me, or does today feel like Monday?

Happy 4th of July

Last night I attended Morgantown's 4th of July Fireworks display with Pam, George, Moke and Calvin at the riverfront park. I was smart enough to get there a couple hours early and the place was packed. They had a parade, kids games, a concert, and an awards ceremony followed up by probably the best fireworks display that I have ever seen Morgantown put on.

Today however is Independence Day, but they did fireworks last night because this is the day that everyone has off. We celebrate this day as the 231st anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our nation.

I really don't have anything planned for today as of yet, but I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th.

Sterling Faucet Reunion

I was listening to the radio this morning and they mentioned about there being another Sterling Faucet Reuninon on July 14th from noon till 5:00PM.

They didn't go to much into detail other than to bring a covered dish.

They left a number to call for more information (304) 292-8639

I worked at Sterling Faucet as a automated buffing machine operator from 1982 until 1990. It was a great eight years of my life where I made a lot of friends, some of whicj I still see and talk to today.

Fireworks tonight

There will be fireworks tonight downtown tonight at 9:30. There will also be a parade tonight on High Street and the fireworks dispay will be set off at 9:30 at the riverfront.

Just in, because there was over an hour delay last year, the fireworks company has agreed to let off an additional 400 fireworks for free this year. So, this should be a pretty good fireworks display this year because last years were such a dud.

Also on a sidce note that there will be NO FIREWORKS this year at Greer Mansion in Cheat Lake, so the one in downtown Morgantown should be quite considerable and there should be a decent sized crowd for the events due to that they aren't competing with Greer Mansion this year.

Worst time for a holiday

Not that I would ever complain about a piad day off, but teh 4th of July is on a Wed this year. It's a holiday for me, but it's right in the middle of the week. Had it been on a Thursday or a Tuesday I may have stretched it into a four day weekend, however it's in the middle of the week.

Last year I had a very busy and active 4th of July weekend, but this year appears to be rather uneventful until Saturday when we I'll be going to a private fireworks display.

I think this is going to be a work two, off one and work two type of week for me.

What's everyone elses plans?

Triathalon

I woke up early this morning and decided to go down to watch the start of the Med Express Triathlon this morning and was in for a nice little surprise. This event was much bigger than I have originally perceived and there were probably at least 500 competitors taking part in todays race. It was actually a nice crowd there watching and it looks to be a very well organized event.

I overheard a few of the racers that traveled to this event that really liked it, everything started at the waterfront marina and bistro and the new parking garage was used as a staging area (where they changed clothes and stored their bikes). I did see Bob Conway down there selling his Nutty Bavarian peanuts and we talked a little bit of softball.

Overall, I was very impressed with this event and only look for it to become bigger as time passes.

Rosiak party

Today I went for my tenth consecutive 4th of July Party at Trish's parents. It was a good party, but the turnout was a little smaller this year than any other year for some reason. Although that didn't hamper us in our annual water battle galore, but this year the weather wasn't as warm as in years past and it didn't last as long.

Jackie was scheduled to make it this year, but she ended up not making it. It would have been nice to see her, but I guess I'll have to wait until next year.

Note, this was my 40th post in June, my most active month as a Blogger.

Saturday Morning

I woke up early this morning and hit the rails to trails early and managed to put in about three and a half miles. The section that has been detoured over the last year by the new marina is finally re-opened up where people can walk through. I think the marina and bistro will be a nice addition to Morgantown.

I think that they got everything done for tomorrow morning's triathalon. It will start tomorrow at 7:30 Am and will involve a 1.2 Mile swim in the Mon river, a 56 mile biking portion and will culminate with a 13.1 Mile run. All together the event will cover 70.3 miles and is an actual half-triathlon. I did see a trucks down there with corporate sponsorships, so this is turning into something nice.

The weekend

Yes Monday through Fridayers, it is once again that favorite time of the week again and the dawn of a new weekend. It's Friday again and Morgantown will once again have a few things going on both this weekend and tonight.

Tonight Boparc is playing the movie Flushed Away, if you have nothing else to do and you're looking for a little free entertainment the movie starts at dusk at the ampitheater. Amy and I rented this movie when we were dating, and neither one of us made it through the movie and all of us thought it wasn't very good. However if you need something to do this weekend...

Tomorrow I will be going to the annual Rosiak Family 4th of July cookout that I have been going to since Jackie and I were dating way back in 1998. This will be the tenth year for me attending and I have my monster squirt gun that I bring out one time a year ready to go. There is always a huge water battle every year and it's one of those events where you take a change of clothing.

Sunday there will be a triathalon being run throughout Morgantown. It's being sponsered by Med Express and has been run a few years now. Not sure if Mark Devault is running it this year, but he has in years past.

Have a good weekend.

Dominion Post late today

In case anyone didn't know, the Dominion Post had a major breakdown last night and will hopefully be produced later today. I went out early this morning to grab one and there were none in our machine where I live. So, I got in the Rodeo and started driving up the road when I heard Kevin mention it on WVAQ.

Just for you who need a little news, I'll provide it for you.

********NEWSFLASH*******

Paris Hilton

An empty can of dog food retrieved from Paris Hilton's garbage can is now on sale on ebay. The current bid is $1,500,501.00. the good news is that you don't have to pay it all at once, you can pay it over a period of three months.



This interesting point of news has been sponsered by George-Hall.net

Catching up with a tidbits

* Running a little behind with the BLOG, so let's just do a tidbits.

* We celebrated Erica's birthday on Sunday, I got quite a few pics, I just haven't put them up on my site yet.

* Moke and Jamie played paintball Saturday, they played in a three man tournament and got a good bit of playing experience.

* We played softball tonight, we lost an embarrassing game but I played one of my best games this season both offensively and defensively. I was stroking the ball nice tonight and was hitting with a lot of confidence.

* The fourth of July fireworks are going to be let off Tuesday night at the waterfront. Hopefully they will be better than last years nightmare.

* Pam has finally entered the world of blogging. She just got hers set up over the past couple of days.

Out with the old

Today I said goodbye to an old friend of two years, my Chevy Cavalier was getting a little old and run down and it was just time to put it to rest.

So, it was out with the old and...



In with the new, or at least new to me. I just bought an Isuzu Rodeo LS 4WD. I was also looking at a Kia Sportage, but it was a 4 cylinder and this is a 3.2-liter dohc 24c V6.

I think I am going to be happy with my choice.

A trip to Kennywood

Yesterday, Mom, Brittany, Danilelle and Mary took a trip to Kennywood Park for the day and enjoy some time in the sun and a few amusement park rides. I would have to say my sole intent and purpose was to try the new version on the old Steel Phantom that they put in a few years ago called Phantom's Revenge. I have ridden a lot of roller coasters in my life, I would have to rank this as the best I've ridden. There were no loops or corkscrews, but it did have sheer speed and slight and quick inclines and declines that literally would have thrown you if you were not strapped in pretty tight. They recommend to remove any loose things on your body such as Cell phones and such, and I would say I have to agree with them. The force that you go over some of those seemingly innocent bumps are very quick and move you around in the coaster.

It was a great trip and I think everyone had a great time on the day. I think the last time that I was at Kennywood with Brittany she was in a stroller, so it has been a few years since the two of us were there together and I think the last time I was there with mom was when dad was alive and we all took a trip to the park for the day. That's been twenty or so years ago.

I was semi-planning on taking Amy and Josie this summer to either Kennywood or Idlewild Park, but things just didn't work out and we never made it. I would love to see the look on Josie's face the first time she makes a trip there, especially when I watched how much she loved going to playgrounds.

I think the only downer for me on the day at Kennywood is I had a little too much funnel cake.

Way to start off a weekend.

I had a good start to the weekend already, even though it is only Friday morning. I was listening to the Eric and Kevin show this morning and they were playing 20 questions for a couple tickets to see Evan Almighty
tonight at 7:00 atCarmike Cinemas. The first clue was "Ann Frank Called me Home" and I started calling. There were a few other clues that came our before I got through, however I already knew that it wasAmsterdam. I won the two tickets...woo hoo.

Yesterday, they gave another set of tickets away for the same movie. Ready for the
irony, Kevinis mythird baseman and yesterdays winner was Dan
Barnes, who is our softball teams leftcenter fielder. The contest was completely legit, we were just the two winners.

Anyways, that is how my weekend has started. BOPARC will be playing the dreamworks movie Over the Hedge tonight at dusk at the Amphitheater on the waterfront. It's free just bring a blanket or a chair and some snacks and enjoy a free movie out under the stars. The weather is supposed to be nice tonight, so it should be a good movie nightand a chance for everyone to see the new water fountain on the river of the Mon.


In other news, the movie A Mighty Heart is being released today. It is the true life story of former Journalist Daniel Pearl who was publically beheaded in Pakistan. One of the main charctors is Asra Q. Nomani who I graduated Morgantown High School with in 1982. Her website.
Hope your weekend starts off as good as mine.

It's Officially Summer

Well, I think it officially starts at like 2:06 today, meaning that today os the longest day of the year when ot concerns daylight. Day's will start to get shorter now until the Winter Solstice kicks in for the shortest day of the year.

Summer and Spring are my favorite times of the year, I love being able to run around wearing shorts and sandals rather than boots and a parka.

Not quite sure what I am getting into this weekend, it's a good possibility I may be going to Kennywood this weekend with my Mom, Mary and Danielle. That's not a definate yet though. Moke has a three man paintball tournament he is playing this Saturday, but I'm not planning on going.

Sunday Val is having Erica Jean's birthday party at her place. This will be her third birthday and I'll be bringing the camera to take a few photos.


The least movement is of importance to all nature. The entire ocean is affected by a pebble.--Blaise Pascal

Happy Anniversary Nick and Terri

Happy Anniversary Nick and Terri

They must like me

Just got an e-mail from corporate, I just got another pay raise. It's not as big as the one in April, but it is another $1,000+ a year on my salary.

Happy 144th Birthday West Virginia

Today June 20th, in 1863 West Virginia became it's own state when we were the first and only state in the US to secede from another state when we told Virginia to take a walk and formed our own state.

Happy 144th West Virginia.

Happy Birthday Erica Jean Nicholson

Happy 3rd Birthday Erica Jean

Solved that Problem

Over the past six months or so my battery has been draining and didn't seem to be holding a charge at all. On many occasions I would have to take the battery out of the car and bring it in and charge it, however my battery charger always says the battery was fine and there is no problems with it. It just always appeard to have a slow drain for some reason. It had actually even drained on me twice while I was dating Amy.

I had pulled the terminal off numerous times to check and see if it was the alternator, but everytime I did it no problems appeared to be revealed. Yesterday I noticed that my battery light all of a sudden came on and I once again pulled the terminal, and walla. Bad alternator.

I had bought on with a lifetime warranty last year, and it's a good thing I saved my receipt, because that saved me well over $100 for a new altinator. For some reason altinators are kind of expensive for my car as it was for my Corsica.

I took the old one off, took it to Advance and had them test it. It was a defective part. Got a new free one and placed it on the car. Problem solved.

Woo Hoo

Double Header split

After another long night at the ballpark, we ended up pulling another double header split last night. We totally tanked the first game, had them 5-0 through about 5 innings and we completley fell apart in the top of the 7th and saw ourselves trailing 26-7. We did manage a nice little comeback to lose 26-19.

In the second game we took on last years A League undefeated Champions and beat them 26-11. The last time we played them was in the semi-finals a few years ago and trashed them then too. We did manage to pull off a controversial triple play to kill one of their rallies and then cam e back in and scored 12 runs in the same inning.

It was a very hot and humid night to be playing softball.

Double header #2 Tonight

Tonight my softball team has our second of three double headers for the year. Hopefully with a little bit of a lineup switch from last week the team really played together and we may have found our groove.

We'll see tonight.

Happy Fathers Day

Today is Father's Day as it is recognized around the world. It's a day like Mothers Day that is also a global holiday that has local roots. Where Mother's Day originated in Grafton, Father's Day originated in Fairmont.

Father's Day was rumored to have started due to a nearby mine explosion in Monongah, which kind of touches home with me because my father was a coal miner in Marion County until the day we lost him on July 20, 1999.

I would like to take this time and extend a very Happy Fathers Day greeting to all of those special men who have taken the special role of being a father.

Lazy day

it's been a pretty lazy day for me, I did do a good bit of running around but nothing really of note. Just tried to stay busy and productive.

I have been thinking today that it's time to maybe start seriously planning a new set of goals for the next couple of years. I really don't have a list, but I do have a few things running through my head that I would like to do.

I don't want to sit around waiting hoping Amy will come around, it's time for me to possibly move on in that portion of my life. I can't say a bad word about her, I do have a great deal of respect for her. It's just that we didn't see eye to eye as a couple on I guess a few things that were important to her. Me, I hate sitting around with nothing to do so I guess it's time to put myself back on the market.

I did see a real nice watch that I like, it's the Tissot T-Touch. It is a Swss Quartz watch and does have a hefty price tag. It's a pretty remarkable watch, but I don't know if I am ready to pay $700 for something that goes on my wrist. You never know though.

Not sure what I'm going to do this evening, I'm contemplating going to see a movie tonight.

T G I F

This was a pretty quick week, busy and productive, but also one that went by pretty quick. The weekend is now once again upon us and time to sit back and relax a little bit.

There is no movie being played tonight at the Waterfront, althought the series returns next friday night with a playing of Over the Hedge.

However tonight if you are looking for a little free entertainment the Mon River Big Band will be playing tonight at the Ampitheater starting at 7:00. It is going to be a part of the Arts on the River festival that will run tonight and tomorrow.

Stopped by to see Terri last night. She had a few computer questions and how to print her pictures. She's taking her printer out of storage and is hooking it up and wants to be able to print out some pictures. I think we have her rigged up until she gets the USB 2 chord she needs to connect the computer to the Printer.

Have a good weekend.


Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.--Pablo Picasso

Something New

I just got back from my walk, I wanted to beat the rain, and as I was walking sown by the Hazel Ruby McQuain Park on the river I noticed something that hadn't been there before. We now have a nice water fountain right behind the amphitheater.

I thought to myself "I wish I had my Camera", but then I remembered that my phone is also a Camera. So, on the day it was to my knowledge first run, I have a picture of the fountain working.

I didn't know of any previous plans for one, nor do I know if this will be the only one. However, I appreciate it and think it adds to the Morgantown culture a little bit.

On a side note I received my Credit Approval through JB Robinsons today. I think they were a little late in processing that. Oh well.

Midweek

Boy this week is starting to go by fast, it's already Wed and another weekend is just right around the corner.

I did hit rails to trails yesterday for a nice 3.7 mile walk. Kelly wasn't going so I went at my normal time and walked my normal route along the river and by the Ampitheater.

There wasn't too much going on on the trail, the weather was nice and hot so either I was a little early or people were waiting until it cooled down a little more.

I did talk to Kim a little yesterday, she's wanting me to watch a documentary calledthe secret. I promised her I would try to watch it sometime.

WVAQ is starting to announce a tournament I want to try to get in. They are going to have a contest this summer that will allow 96 winners to enter a big Texas Hold'em tournament here in town and the winner winning a trip to Las vegas and a chance to play in the World Champiosnhip of Poster. Could be loads of fun IF I can get into that 96.



Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self.--May Sarton

Finally back to form

Well it's about time, I finally had a big game last night and was very productive. I've been struggling all season and just couldn't get back on track. I usually swing a 30 oz bat, but last night switched to a 26 oz and was hitting the ball very well.

In years past, I have started with the lighter bat and then when I went cold swithed to a heavier bat. I've had most of my success the last couple years swinging a 30 oz'er so when I bought a new bat this year I bought a 30 oz bat.

I poppped up deep my first time at bat with my bat, then switched to Paul Portillo's 26 oz'er and finished 3-3 and driving in I think 6 runds in my final three at bats. My last at bat I actually swung at a pitch over my head and drove it for a solid base hit where I ended up at second. I felt comfortable after the slump ended.

We won 18-12 beating one of the top teams in the league. We finally are strating to look like the team of old.

Another late night game

We hit the softball field once again tonight and for the fourth time this season we once again have that dreaded 10:00 PM timeslot to deal with. This will be our fourth time in 8 games that we have had that 10:00 (out of 5 possible) timeslot. The of the four we didn't was a double header and next weeks games are another double header.

We have been struggling as a team as of late and can't seem to regenerate the majoc of the past couple of years. It's mostly mental errors now, so we can snap out of it at anytime and go on a roll.

Weekend wrapup

Well, the weekend is once again fading into the sunset as we get ready to start another week at work. I tried to stay as busy as possible this past weekend, even went out to take Trish her pictures earlier today.

I have thought about calling Amy this evening and seeing if she would like to take a walk on the trails, but for some reason I get the feeling that any contact from me would be unwelcome at this time. I miss her, but I also have to respect what my interpretation of her wishes are. She dropped my stuff off to me Friday and I tried to strike up a conversation, but she wasn't that receptive. I hope my interpretation is bad and there is hope, but I also don't want to build myself up to any false hopes either, because she was one of the best things that ever happened to me.

My niece Amy called me as I was writing this BLOG and had a computer issue. I drove up and assisted the best that I could, but she doesn't have a wireless signal to piggy back on.

Weekend is over, back to work tomorrow.

Gladiators game

I decided to take a trip to the Gladiators game tonight and met up with Trish, Aaron and Justin. It was a good evening and I enjoyed myself, although the Gladiators lost a 24-17 game to Beaver Valley.

Their next home game is like July 8th, and I may try to make it to that game too. A lot of the familiar faces that I have known and played a sport with through the years are gone and it's basically a new group of guys playing. I must be getting older.

Already up and at em

* I woke up early this morning and ate breakfast and managed to hit rails to Trails for a nice 4 mile walk. I has the iPod going and I had a nice brisk walk. Something is happening today at Hazel Ruby McQuain park, but I don't know what is is, they were setting up as I walked by both times.

* Last night I sat down and grabbed a movie and put it into the DVD player, ironically it was the movie Chasing Amy. I honestly just randomly grabbed one and threw it in because it was raining and there was nothing else on the boob tube. Maybe I should have put in Jay and Silent Bob Strike back, either way it was a Kevin Smith type night.

* For those of you wanting a little football, The WV Gladiators will be playing tonight at 7:00 at Morgantown High. $5.00 for adults and children under 12 get in free.

* Kim and Robert took a trip to Phantom Fireworks this past week. I pitched in and we are going to have a 4th of July / Fireworks night sometime this summer. Should be a good time for all.

* MVP Paintball Park is going to have another Softball Special on July 22. $25.00 gets you your field Rental, All day air, equipment and 500 free paintballs. I wasn't planning on playing, but it looks like that may have changed now. Anyone interested in playing let me know.

* I talked to Trish a little bit last night, I decided to call her since Josh "The Weasel" Judy (her creation) was drafted yesterday. I asked her what's up, and she asked me if I was sitting down. She's six weeks pregnant.

* Might try to go out today and find a geocache or two to keep my mind busy.

Josh Judy

Earlier today I posted a BLOG about a former team mate by the name of Josh Judy who could very well be drafted in todays Major League Baseball Draft.

I was talking to Josh a couple weeks ago after he came back to town. He said the Detroit Tigers had been calling him as well as th Yankees, but he said his ultimate dream would to have been selected by the Cleveland Indians.

Josh had his dream fulfilled today when the Cleveland Indians drafted him. Josh if you're reading this, when you sign that Million Dollar Contract, I want some tickets.

It has been a pleasure watching his career take shape.

Weekend

End of another week at work, I'm kind of looking forward to the weekend. Weather is supposed to be nice and I'm sure I'll find myself getting into something somewhere.

We tanked our softball game last night, we are just not playing like we have in years past. We're just not a very gooed team right now and aren't makng the routine plays. Hopefully we'll get it together because I think we have tied last seasons loss total already with a 3-4 record on the year. I think we were 7-0 at this point the last two seasons, or 6-1 at the worst.

I did find out last night that our shortstop is going to be heading to Iraq in early December for 6-10 months, depending on if he has to go to Kuwait first.

BOPARC is playing the movie RV tonight at marilla Park if anyone is looking for a little free entertainment.

I am going to be keeping my eye on the Major League baseball draft today. An ex-team mate of mine for a few years should have his name called today. I was talking to him last week and his fastball is up to 96 MPH (I saw him thrw 92 consistantly at a game a couple years ago) and he is a 2 Time All-American at Indiana Tech. He started playing softball with me when he was 14. If he ever makes it to the majors, I'll go cheer for him even if he is pitching against my beloved Pirates. Good Luck Josh.

I guess it's just not my day

I just logged onto Myspace and there was a bulletin posted there by my sisters friend Tyler.


Not the Ed Hall I know

But did you see what that STUPID PEICE OF SHIT EDWIN R HALL did to that poor girl from Target. I think they should just ship him back here to WV and I'll take him to camp and use him as Target practice, then let the wild pick him to the bones. Hey, just another fine example of why I like animals better than people. Too many disgusting excuses for humans walking around, just hurting people for no reason. One of these days and not too far into the future (about ten years) we are going to have to defend ourselves, cause the police or government can't be everywhere all the time. Don't believe that huh, don't kid yourself. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO CARRY SO PACK IT UP AND PICK EM OFF, ASSHOLES DON"T DESERVE TO BREATH


I had no idea what she was talking about until I googled the name Edwin R Hall. I guess this just isn't the day to be named Ed Hall.

In other news, I wonder if I can break out of my batting slump tonight. LOL

Irreconcilable differences

Hi everyone, I have to post this blog with a little bit of a heavy heart. This past week, Amy and I have decided to stop seeing each other. I haven't said anything as of yet, but now it's getting to the time that people are going to start finding out.

I don't want to go into what happened, let's just say that we had irreconcilable differences in our relationship. It happened a little over 36 hours from me posting this and I wanted to make sure there was closure between Amy and myself before I lert anyone know.

She was a great girlfriend and I have nothing but the utmost respect for her, we are just no longer going to be seeing each other.

Now I have to wonder

Over the past few weeks, my softball teams third baseman who is also the morning man for WVAQ. Kevin from the Eric and Kevin show has been hung up on Golden Oreos on the air. This has been going on for a couple weeks and the joke even has been they Nabiscos stock went up a couple points because of them.

Eric requested on air as a Joke that they need to contact him, so as a Joke I contacted them through their website and put Kevin's information in on the feedback form.

This morning, three cases of Oreos were delivered to Eric and Kevin on the Morning show from Nabisco. I have to wonder if it was a result of me lending an hand.

On a side note, One Golden Oreo has 25 grams of Carbs =(

How about a Tidbits

* It's been a while since I have done a tidbits, maybe today would be a good day to have one.

* Val is planning on having Erica Jean's third Birthday Party on June 24th at 1:00 at her home. She said she is going to get a Sponge Bob Swquare Pants cake for the party.

* On June 23, Moke and a few of his friends are going to assemble two three man teams and go to MVP Park to take part in a three man paintball tournament.

* We hit the softball field once again tonight, but will be at only partial strength. One of our starting outfielders can't make it and another will have to leave during the game if he shows up. Our Third Baseman said this morning that his hamstring injury is going to be a gametime decision on if he can play or not. Give him a Golden Oreo, he'll be OK.

* My little squirrel buddies are back, I just sat some more food out for them after I saw one of them eating the remains from yesterday. It does provide a nice bit of entertainment for the day.

* Robert sent me an e-mail last night, he is going to take a trip to Phantom Fireworks for the 4th of July Celebration. Last year they met at Ron's Farm and celebrated the 4th of July. I'm not sure what my plans for the 4th will be as of yet, ask me in a few weeks. Last year it was a quite busy weekend for me, I don't know iof this year will top it because the 4th is actually in the middle of the week (Wed) this year.



Have a good Thursday

A little entertainment

Since it has been really nice weather the last couple of days, I have decided to keep my front door open to let the fresh air in and enjoy the aesthetics's of a nice spring day and a little fresh air.

A few weeks ago I purchases a bag of squirrel food and had at times placed it around the apartment. Yesterday I watched what I thought was one very hungry squirrel eat for about four straight hours. I was thinking to myself that was an awful lot of food for one small squirrel. I mean, that little squirrel had what I thought was the bottomless pit stomach of all squirrels.

Today I needed a little something to brighten my day so I set out some more food and waited for my buddy to come along. Sure enough my little squirrel buddy stopped by and was enjoying a nice meal of corn, peanuts and sunflower seeds that I had set out for him. I paid a little closer attention today only to notice that it was more than one squirrel with a bottomless stomach, it was four different squirrels eating the feed. One would eat and the other three tended to stand guard so to alert the one eating if someone was walking by.

Thanks to my little squirrel buddies for brightening up my day.

I found my first geocache.

A couple of months ago I bought my first ever GPS unit. I bought it so that I could start doing something called geocaching as a way to get a little hands on knowledge of working with a GPS and to get a little exercise while doing so.

Yesterday Kelly suggested that we try walking on another portion of rails to trails to see if we could find a geocache. She recommended trying to find the Johnny Cash Cache. We started behind Food Lion and started walking towards the Interstate Bridge on I68 and the cache was just off the trail.

This was my first cache and I was quite excited about it. Tonight we are going to see if I can find my second cache.

Happy Birthday Gary

Today is Gary, the youngest of the five siblings, birthday. Not too sure what he is up to today, but I would like to wish him a very Happy Birthday.

National Map and National Atlas

One of the hardest things to do is explain to people what it is I do for a living. How do you explain something that many people haven't seen.

There were two interactive sites that I found over the weekend (I already knew about them) that may help others understand a little better.

The federal government is doing a National Map that actually uses an IMS server to let the viewer play with an interactive map.

There is also a National Atlas that has a user friendly Map Maker feature.

A day at Coopers Rock

Yesterday the girls and I did a little running around and made a trip to Coopers Rock. It was only the second time Amy was ever there and the first time the little one had ever been there. I managed to take my camera with me and grab one of those once in a lifetime type of photos for the girls.


As I was looking through the pictures from yesterday I found the one of Amy and Josie and it caused me to reminisce a little of my own childhood, many, many moons ago when me and grandpa Hall had our picture taken together on Coopers Rock.

That picture has always been a favorite of mine. This was a man who raised me and who we lost 27 years to the day that I accomplished his dream for me when I graduated from college.

I couldn't let this moment pass, so I have already taken the picture of the girls and had a framed 8 X 10 made that I will give them this afternoon.

You only have so many chances on making memories of a lifetime, you can't let the simple ones pass you by.

The day ahead

It's Saturday morning and I am trying to figure out something to get into today. Amy had mentioned that she has only been to Coopers Rock once in her lifetime and Josie had never been there yet. That is one of the things we're considering today, among a few other possibilities for us to do today. Amy had taken her grandparents grocery shopping Thursday opening today up for us. Tomorrow she'll be at her church most of the day in preparation to teach vacation bible school later this summer.

If we do go to Coopers Rock I have downloaded a few geocaches into my GPS, so maybe we'll grab one of them while we are out and around today.

TGIF

Wow was this a short week. Actually it was a three day work week so that is no surprise. However, it is once again Friday and the dawn of another weekend.

Not too sure what we are getting into this weekend, Amy and I talked about going out to dinner this evening. Other than that the plans are pretty much up in the air tonight. Last week we attended a movie when we went and watched Curious George. There is no movie being played tonight however, but it returns next friday when RV will be played at Marilla Park.

Have a good weekend.

I started another BLOG

I have watched Kim start a couple new BLOGS over the last couple days, so I decided to move foreward with something I wanted to do since last season and that was to start another BLOG, but with multiple authors.

It wasn't a hard choice to decide to dom one or the topic to choose. Finding other authors wasn't that hard either.

I have started a group blog for my Softball Team and already have four other authors signed up.